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NEXT
A.14 Anticipation - what's happening next !
Lack of anticipation
is a weakness in almost all new drivers.
Anticipation is more than just looking ahead (as in observation). It is the action taken
(in anticipation) to avoid problems arising next.
Examples where drivers must anticipate:
When looking for an address,
say No. 31 River Street, indicate when passing house No. 21, 23 or 25 in anticipation.
If you indicate late and/or brake suddenly outside No.31, you are risking a rear-end collision.
Moving off from the kerb into
heavy traffic is testing a driver's judgement, decisiveness and anticipation,
especially in a manual car. Considering it may take about five
seconds to engage the gear, release the ratchet
on the handbrake and complete the mirror-indicator-blindspot-procedure,
drivers who anticipate will indicate five seconds before the gap in the traffic is likely to
occur. Anticipation is a matter of correct timing.
When approaching a "PA-crossing"
(pedestrian activated) don't just stare at the green traffic light, but check, if anyone has pressed (activated) the button to cross. If so, the lights may turn amber at any moment. A child is likely to run across as soon as he or she sees
'walk'.
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Too late - caught behind a parked car !
The hatchback novice driver noticed the obstacle
too late (lack of anticipation).
Expecting the van behind to overtake, he/she
slows down, despite indicating right, frustrating everyone behind. When lanes merge
or there are parked vehicles, remember - the accelerator can get you into trouble, but also out of trouble!
(See also below) |
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Merging
traffic is a
good example where foresight (anticipation) and proper speed
control keep traffic flowing smoothly.
Merging traffic occurs when laned traffic ends, e.g. two lanes form into one, or three lanes
change into two. |
| If you are driving the vehicle in the
right-hand lane, anticipate the
merging lanes. Whilst the accelerator can get us into trouble, in above
situation the accelerator can get this driver out
of trouble!
A white line
which ends in the middle of a roadway is a sign that lanes are merging.
Look also for a sign Lane ends or Form 1 Lane.
The most logical
way to allow traffic to merge smoothly is - one vehicle from the left-hand
lane, the next vehicle from the right-hand lane etc. It's called the 'zip-merge'
and works well, when done with patience and regard for other
drivers.
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| Entering an intersection,
when the exit is not clear creates a choked intersection.
>
Take notice and
do not stop on white letters,
painted on the road: 'KEEP CLEAR.'
The light shows green for
these two frustrated motorists.
The car from the opposite direction
may encroach into the pedestrians' space.
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Not
looking and thinking ahead (anticipating) causing traffic
jam.
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The
following hazards may cause traffic delays:
| Road-works |
Anticipate
speed limits and obey them. |
| Emergency
vehicles |
When
their lights are flashing do not exceed 40 km speed limit when
passing them. |
| Traffic
jams |
As
shown above. |
| Broken
down vehicles |
This
includes those parked incorrectly in dangerous places. |
To properly anticipate such situations ahead, lift your eyes beyond the
immediate traffic ahead. Forward observation has two benefits: One, you will
better manage traffic delays and two, by anticipating danger you should
seldom need to brake sharply.
Quick reflexes are a plus in an emergency. However, good
forward observation, driving intelligently, are more important and should make
sharp braking a rare occurrence for a low-risk driver.
Everything must be learned. Some new drivers
anticipate naturally. Others learn through experience.
A motorist that anticipates makes life easier for everyone.
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